Personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) at the Headquarters yesterday embarked on a walk in Accra to mark this year’s International Firefighters Day (IFD).
The IFD, observed annually on May 4, tohonour the memory of firefighters who died inthe line of duty.
The day is also observed to show appreciation to the firefighters worldwide for their hard work which ensures fire safety and reduce incidence of fire outbreaks.
The walk which was led by some directors, commanders of the Service begun at 7:45am from the GNFS Headquarters through the Police Headquarters, GBC,Nima Interchange, Paloma and ended at the Obra spot at the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange amidst drumming, singing and distribution of educational leaflets on fire safety to the public.
Personnel also wielded placards with inscription such as ‘Replace faulty or broken electrical sockets’ ‘Do not use petrol or kerosene to light or revive a fire indoors’ ‘Keep your Gas cylinder outside the kitchen, preferably in an open area.’
The others were ‘Do not refund your generator when the engine is on, allow the generator to cool down before refueling’ ‘Install a smoke detector in your home to alert you in case of a fire outbreak and ‘see something say something.’
The GNFS used the programme to launch the 60th anniversary of the Service.
The Commanding Officer of the GNFS at the Headquarters, Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) Grade One(I), JamesOheneba-Yaw Kwarteng, told journalists that the day seeks to remember personnel who dedicated their lives during the discharge of their duties.
He assured of the GNFS continuous commitment to help save lives and property in the country and called on the public to partner the GNFS to protect lives.
ACFO I Kwarteng urged the public to call the Service on it emergency numbers 112,192 and 0302772446 during emergencies.
“When contacted early, fires are attended to early to ensure lives and properties are saved,” he added.
ACFO Kwarteng urged the public to be ambassadors of fire safety at all times.
BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI